Carolyne DeFranco Named President and CEO of Gateway-Longview

Buffalo, NY – Gateway-Longview is pleased to announce that Carolyne DeFranco, its vice president of organizational performance, has been named as the nonprofit agency’s new President and CEO. She will be replacing the current President and CEO, James Sampson, effective Monday, June 3. Ms. DeFranco was appointed by Gateway-Longview’s Board of Directors following a national search of several months.

“I am confident that Carolyne will continue her zeal and enthusiasm for the children of our community and marshal the necessary resources and leadership to advance the work of Gateway-Longview,” Sampson said. “She will capture our rich history and help imagine a new future full of possibilities, hopes and promises,” he added.

DeFranco has nearly 30 years of experience in the social services field, and has been employed with Gateway-Longview since 2004. She served as the vice president of community services from January 2004 – December 2009, and as its vice president of organizational performance since January 2010.

In her current position as vice president of organizational performance, she currently oversees the agency’s entire evaluation and quality improvement system for internal and external accountability, and is involved with program development and board relations. She also works with the agency president to evaluate potential partnerships and community alliances to help advance the agency, and launched an Emerging Leaders Program for staff. As vice president of community services, she managed the Community Services department, which is responsible for a variety of services to at-risk children, youth and their families, including Foster Care and Adoption Services and Therapeutic Facilitated Visitation.

She also worked as the Regional Network Director at Boys’ Village Treatment Foster Care, a foster care facility in Ohio, where she significantly expanded its foster care program. DeFranco has also worked as a psychotherapist.

Ms. DeFranco received her master’s degree in social work from Ohio State University and completed the Harvard Business School’s Executive Leadership Program as well as Six Sigma training. She served on the Board of Trustees for Habitat for Humanity Niagara and Maternity and Early Childhood Foundation.

She replaces James Sampson, who is retiring after nearly nine years as President and CEO. During his tenure as president, he reorganized the administration, developed strategic visioning processes, and positioned the agency to be the largest provider of wraparound services to Erie County.

Gateway-Longview is a not-for-profit child and family service agency that has been providing care, counseling, and support to countless children and families since 1890. It currently serves approximately 3,400 children from across Western and Central New York every day through its 18 separate support programs. For more information about Gateway-Longview, please visit www.Gateway-Longview.org.